Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Library
Research Report Series - 0079
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Library
Williamsburg, Virginia
1990
June 9, 1959
To: Mr. John GrahamIn answer to your query concerning firearms in Williamsburg in the eighteenth century, I have gathered some notes on the types which were probably to be found in many Williamsburg homes. [These do not include the arms at the Magazine or in the Palace—except those that were personal property of a governor.]
In 1705 every white male between the ages of 16 and 60 had to serve in the foot troop or horse troop of the militia of his respective county (certain colonial officials, ministers, clerks, schoolmasters, constables, overseers, millers, etc. excepted). In 1723 the age limit was changed (21 to 60 years), and officials, professors, and students at the College of William and Mary were also exempt. There would, of course, have been many militia-men living in Williamsburg, who served in the militia of York or James City County until 1723, when—after Williamsburg was incorporated (1722) as a city—there was a Williamsburg Militia.
Each member of the horse troops (county or city) had to have available a "good serviceable horse, a good saddle, holsters, brest plate and crouper, a case of good pistolls, well fixed, sword and double cartouch box." He must also have at his "usual place of abode a well fixed carbine, with belt and swivle, two pounds of powder, and eight pounds of shott." Every foot-soldier must provide himself with "a firelock, muskett or fusee well fixed, a good sword and cartouch box, and six charges of powder, and appear constantly with the same at time and place appointed for muster." He must also have "at his place of abode two pounds of powder and eight pounds of shott." These requirements were continued, except for slight changes as to amount of powder and shot, etc.—the horse troops to have "a cutting sword or cutlace." [Hening, Statutes, III, 335-342; IV, 118-126. Acts regulating the Militia.]
Therefore, pistols, carbines, firelocks, muskets, fusees (and some rifles in the last quarter of the century), as well as swords, cartouch boxes, etc., would have been in many Williamsburg houses. For the most part the arms would have been English-made, or made by English-trained gunsmiths. There were several gunsmiths in Williamsburg. Fowling-pieces, for shooting birds, duck, etc., were also owned by many inhabitants.
Attached are brief definitions of various types of firearms in colonial Williamsburg, as well as excerpts from Williamsburg or Bruton Parish 2 inventories and wills in the York County Records; and references of Williamsburg interest from the Virginia Gazettes. These, listed in alphabetical order, include blunderbusses, carbines, firelocks or flintlocks, fowling-pieces, fusses, guns (a listing including several types of firearms), muskets, pistols, and rifles.
As noted, most seventeenth- and eighteenth-century firearms were imported from England; some were made in Virginia by English-trained gunsmiths in the eighteenth century. According to the Encyclopaedia Britanica (Vol. X, page 986) the London gunsmiths obtained a charter of incorporation in 1637; and the gunmaking industry in Birmingham, dating from 1603, soon rivalled that of London. European guns, of course, found their way into the Colony from time to time; and in 1775, after Great Britain issued a proclamation against exporting guns and gunpowder to America, it was stated in a London paper that the Americans would doubtless obtain all they wanted from Holland, France and Spain. [See under "Guns," 1775, in notes appended.]
Although a few examples of firing mechanisms earlier than the flint-lock may have survived into the eighteenth century, they would have been very rare in Williamsburg. Firelocks or flintlocks as well as matchlocks, were used at the time of the Jamestown settlement. Captain John Smith departed from Jamestown in October, 1609, it was recorded that for "490 and odde persons" there were at Jamestown "24 pieces of ordinances, 300 muskets, snaphances, and firelocks, shot, powder, and match sufficient…" [Virginia Magazine of History, Vol. VI (1899) page 219.] The reference to "match" indicated that some matchlock muskets were in use. A "snaphance" was an early form of flint-lock used in muskets and pistols." [Oxford English Dictionary, Vol. IX, page 306.] In the census taken in Virginia in 1624/5, there were, for some 1232 persons, 20 "Pieces of Ordinance"; 932 "Peeces fixt"; 49 "Snaphance Peeces"; 47 "Matchcocks or Match locks"; and 55 "Pistolls." [Ibid., Vol. VII, page 366.] In 1676, it was ordered that the British Master of Ordnance send to Virginia "four hundred Snaphance Muskets…two hundred Carabines…" [Ibid., Vol. XIV, page 271.] However, Snaphances were not mentioned as such in our eighteenth century sources cited in the notes appended. Nor do we find reference to matchlock and wheel-lock arms in these sources.
It seems safe to say that the eighteenth century small-arms were flint-lock weapons. However, as of possible interest here, we include a few brief notes on early gun-locks:
MATCHLOCK: An improvement in the hand-gun took place at about the close of the reign of Edward IV [ca. 1483], by fixing "a cock on the hand-gun to hold the match, which was brought down to the priming by a trigger, whence the term match-lock." The match was made "of cotton or hemp spun slack, and boiled in a strong solution of saltpetre or in the lees of wine." 3 As a military weapon the matchlock gradually gave way to the firelock or flintlock, which came into "general use in the last half of the seventeenth century, and, with slight changes, was the weapon both of Marlborough's and of Wellington's armies." [See Encyclopaedia Britannica (New York: 1932) Vol. X, pages 985-986.]
"Matchlock" is defined as "1. A gun lock in which slow-match is placed for igniting powder"; or "2. A musket having a match-lock" in the Oxford English Dictionary (Vol. VI, page 227). This Dictionary quotes Chambers' Cyclopaedia of 1727-52 concerning the Carbine or "Carabine…formerly made with a match-lock, but of late only with a flint-lock."
WHEEL-LOCK: According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica (Vol. X, pages 985-986 under "Gun"), the wheel-lock, which was an improvement over the matchlock, was invented in Nuremberg in 1517, was "brought into England in 1530, and continued in partial use until the time of Charles II"—King of England 1660-1685.
The Oxford English Dictionary (Vol. XII, page 20) defines the word as "1. A form of gun-lock in which the powder was fired by the friction of a small wheel (wound up by a spring) against a piece of iron pyrites."
FIRELOCK: In the Oxford English Dictionary (Vol. IV, page 244) "Firelock" is defined as "1. A gun-lock in which sparks were produced (either by friction or percussion) to ignite the priming. The name was first given to the Wheel-lock; in the seventeenth century it became transferred to the Flintlock."
FLINTLOCK: The Oxford English Dictionary (Vol. IV, page 328) defines "Flint-lock" as "a. A gun-lock in which a flint, screwed to the cock, is struck against the hammer and produces sparks which ignite the priming in the flash-pan"; and "b. A gun fitted with this lock."
According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica (Vol. x, pages 985-986) the "modern firelock or flint-lock" was invented about 1635. It came "into general use in the last half of the seventeenth century, and, with slight changes, was the weapon both of Marlborough's and of Wellington's armies. The famous 'Brown Bess' of the British army in the Napoleonic Wars was a flintlock, smooth-bore musket, with its barrel shortened, and browned instead of bright, as a result of experience in the American Revolution."
Objections to the flint-lock were "that it did not entirely preserve the priming from wet, and that the flint sparks sometimes failed to ignite the charge." The percussion principal was developed in the first quarter of the nineteenth century, and ca. 1839 the military flint-lock was altered to suit this principle. [See Encyclopaedia Britannica, Vol. X, page 986.]
4Many firearms were simply referred to as "guns" in the Virginia records. The types of firearms mentioned in the excerpts from these records include the following:
BLUNDERBUSS, described in the Encyclopaedia Britannica (Vol. III, page 758) as "an obsolete muzzle-loading firearm with a bell shaped muzzle. Its calibre was large so that it could contain many balls or slugs, and it was intended to be fired at a short range so that some of the charge was sure to take effect. It was used effectively in the defense of narrow passages…"
CARBINE (sometimes Carabine), a word which came into use "towards the end of the sixteenth century, to denote a form of small firearm, shorter than the musket and chiefly used by mounted men." [Ibid., Vol. IV, page 830.]
FIRELOCKS (see also Flint-lock), by the end of the seventeenth century, referred to either carbines or muskets fired with a flint-lock. The Virginia references to the "firelock" appended date from 1730-1791. In 1716, however, concerning firearms for the new Magazine in Williamsburg, Governor Spotswood wrote the British Lords of Trade that only "300 fire locks" had been sent to Virginia since his arrival in 1710. [Official Letters of Alexander Spotswood, Vol. II, page 140.]
FOWLING-PIECE, a light gun for shooting fowl, those with the longest barrels were reputed the best. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica (Vol. X, page 986), the "highest development of the flint-lock" was to be found "in the fowling-pieces of the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries, particularly those made by Joseph Manton, the celebrated English gunsmith."
FUSEE (FUZEE), defined as "a light musket of firelock," was a foot-soldier's weapon. The Oxford English Dictionary (Vol. IV, page 623) quoted English Military Discipline of 1680 concerning the fusilier: "the Fusiliers have for Arms the Sword, the Bayonet, and Fusil or Fire-lock."
5There are a few references to fusees in the Virginia abstracts appended (1744-1775); they were used by British officers in the Revolution. As already noted each number of foot troops of county or city militia in Virginia had to have a "firelock, muskett, or fusee."
GUNS: Defined as "any portable firearm, except a pistol," the numerous references to "guns" in the notes appended include many types: carbines, fowling-pieces, muskets, rifles, etc.
MUSKET, the term "generally applied to the fire-arm of the infantry soldier from about 1550 up to…about 1850-60," the musket was a matchlock weapon in the sixteenth and much of the seventeenth century. "On the disuse, about 1690-95," of the matchlock firing mechanism, the term 'musket' was, in France at least, for a time discontinued in favour of 'fusil' or 'flint-lock,' which thenceforward reigned supreme up to the introduction of a practicable percussion lock about 1830-40." The term "musket" survived, however, and is used today for "military fire-arms anterior to the modern rifle." [See Encyclopaedia Britannica, Vol. XVI, page 25.]
There are numerous references to muskets in the Virginia abstracts appended (1711-1783), all foot-soldiers in the militia companies having to have a "firelock, muskett, or fusee."
PISTOLS, "a small fire-arm designed for quick work and personal protection at close quarters, and for use in one hand," the first pistols in the 16th century were made with short single barrels and heavy butts, nearly at right angles to the barrel. Shortly afterwards the pattern changed, the butts being lengthened out almost in line with the barrels. These early pistols were usually fitted with the wheel-lock. Short, heavy pistols called 'daggs,' were in common use about the middle of the 17th century, with butts of ivory, bone, hard wood or metal…Pistols with metal shafts were common in the 16th and 17th centuries, many beautiful specimens of which, silver-mounted, were made in Edinburgh and used by Highlanders." [Encyclopaedia Britannica, Vol. XVII, page 965.] As pistols followed the principle of the ordinary firearms of their day, the eighteenth century pistols probably had flintlocks.
There are numerous references to pistols, often in pairs, and to holsters, in the Virginia abstracts which follow, dating from 1694-1783. Pistols were sold in Williamsburg. As already stated, members of the horse-troops in the Virginia county or city militia had to have "a case of good pistolls" as well as a carbine.
RIFLE, is the name given to a gun or musket with a rifled barrel. The principle of the spiral grooving of a gun barrel, which would spin a ball if the ball were gripped by it firmly from breech to muzzle, went back to the 17th century. However, the powder "left a crust in the bore after each shot," which required the "use of 6 a ramrod to drive the next ball home into position"; and it was many years before it met with any material success. [See Encyclopaedia Britannica, Vol. XX, page 802 "Small Arms."]
There are references to "Rifles" (which were sold in Virginia ca. 1776) in the Virginia abstracts appended to this memorandum (1772-1775). In fact an excerpt from a London paper stated that all the American "provincials who bear arms are provided with rifle barrel guns." However, a Williamsburg gunsmith advertised that he "rifled" gun and pistol barrels as early as 1751.
We hope the excerpts which follow will be helpful. Where indicated in the inventories, we have noted the location of the firearm in a house.
M. G.
References to fire-arms from the Williamsburg abstracts of the York County Records, and the Virginia Gazettes, with brief definitions of each:
"Blunderbuss. 1. A short gun with a large bore, firing many balls or slugs, and capable of doing execution within a limited range without exact air. (Now superseded, in civilized countries, by other firearms.)" [Examples of word cited from 1654-1863. Oxford English Dictionary (Oxford: 1933) Vol. I, p. 947.]
York County Records: (2 references to same gun)
1768 - 1771: [Inventory of personal estate of Lt. Gov. Francis Fauquier, died at Palace in 1768 included "1 Blunderbus and Short Gun" valued at £4:-: - the "Blunderbus" sold to Jhn Dixon for £1:0:6.
YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXII, pp. 88-99.]
Virginia Gazette:
1750: "To be sold at Captain La Porte's store in Williamsburg, the following articles, viz. Blunderbusses, pistols with swivels, muskets, cutlasses, and saddles and bridles.—Capt. La Porte intends to retail all kinds of wet and dry goods, in the house next door to Mrs. Vobes, where he formerly kept store."
[Dixon & Nicolson, eds., Feb. 12, 1780.]
See also No. 8 following "Musquetcon."
"Carbine. A kind of fire-arm, shorter than the musket, used by the cavalry and other troops; 'a kind of medium between the pistol and the musket.'" [Examples cited from 1605-1859. Oxford English Dictionary, Vol. II, p. 106.]
York County Records: (Williamsburg reference)
1701: Alexander Young Inventory, Dec. 30, 17012.[YCR Deeds, Orders, Wills, Book XI, pp. 531-533]
"…1 Gunne [£] 0:16: 0… 1 Sword & belt 1:10: 0 1 Sword 0: 5: 0… 1 pr of Pistolls & holsters Carrabine & belt 1:15: 0…"
1718: Florence Macarte of Bruton Parish, will dated March 7, 1717/18 Codicil March 12: "…I Give to my Son Florence Macarte my horse Jockey & my Carabine & belt, my Pistolls & holsters & Sword to be Given to him when he attains to Twenty years of age,…" [YCR Orders, Wills, Book XV, p. 254.]
1726: Robert Cobb Inventory, March 21, 1725/26
"…To 1 gun & 1 Carbine & belt To 1 pr pistols & holsters
To 2 Swords & belts…" [YCR Order, Wills, Book XVI, p. 379.]
1730: William Stone Inventory, March 10, 1729/30[YCR Orders, Wills, Book XVII, p. 58.]
"…To 1 Carbine 1 pr. pistols & holsters a sword & belt [£] 2:10: -…"
1735: Edward Wright Inventory, Sept. 15, 1735[YCR Wills, Inventories, XVIII, p. 229.]
"…To pistols Holsters & Breast plate 1: 5: - To a Sword & Belt /5 To a small Gun 18/ To old Carbine 8/ 1:11: - To Old long Gun 10/ -:10: -…"
Virginia Gazette: (3 references in 1776, none referring especially to Williamsburg)
1776: [Notice concerning formation in the Virginia Counties of cavalry companies of Light Dragoons, made up of gentlemen volunteers, to serve without pay, each volunteer to supply and maintain his own horse, etc. "…Their arms should be, a short rifled carbine, a light pike, of eight feet long, and a tomhawk."[A. Purdie, ed., April 26, 1776.]
1776: [The other two references concern arms known to be on British ships, that of Jan. 13, 1776, listing stores on board British ship captured by "the schooner LEE…in the service of the United Colonies."…
"MUSKETS, with bayonets, scabbards, and steel rammers, 2000. Cartouch boxes, with belts and frogs, 2000. Tanned leather slings, 2000.
Flints: Wallpiece 250, in one keg; musket, 100,000, in fifty kegs; carbine, 5000, in two kegs.
…
Ammunition waggons, seven, Carbines, with bayonets, scabbards, and steel rammers, seventy five; carbine cartouch boxes, with belts and frogs, seventy five. Tanned leather slings seventy five. Handspikes, 100. … [V. G. Dixon & Hunter, eds., Jan. 13, 1776.]
"Firelock. 1. A gun-lock in which were produced (either by friction or percussion) to ignite the priming. The name was first given to the Wheel-lock; in the 17th cent. it became transferred to the Flintlock. [Examples of usage cited from 1547-1677.]
2. A musket furnished with such a lock. [Examples 1590-1869. Oxford English Dictionary, Vol. IV, p. 244.]
York County Records: (See also under Muskets and Guns.)
1730: Henry Tyler Inventory, Jan. 17, 1729/30[YCR Orders, Wills, Book XVII, p. 37.]
"…To a trunk 2 Chests 3 boxes 12/6 3 firelocks 6/6 [£] -:19: -…"
1791: Nathaniel Burwell Inventory, July 1, 1791[YCR Wills, Inventory, Book XXIII p. 257.]
"…1 Spy-glass -: 6: - 1 Umbrella 1: -: - 1 Firelock 1:10: 0 1 Bed, bedstead and Furniture 8: 0: 0…"
Virginia Gazette:
1739: "WHEREAS Two FAIRS are appointed to be held in this City [Williamsburg] Yearly, viz. on the 23d. of April, and on the 12th of December…
…
AND for the Entertainment and Diversion of all Gentlemen and others, that shall resort thereto, the following PRIZES are given to be contended for, at the Fair, viz.
…
A handsome Firelock to be exercis'd for; and given to the Person that performs the Manual Exercise best.
…[Wm. Parks, ed., Nov. 30-Dec. 7, 1739.]
1774: [Under a London date line (Oct. 13), the following item appeared:]
"A Letter received in Town [London] from an English Gentleman at Brest says, that a French Frigate and a Snow lately sailed from that Port to America, Laden with Firelocks, Gunpowder, &c. …"[Purdie & Dixon, eds., Dec. 8, 1774.]
1775: "LONDON, July 4. °4.
'A remonstrance has been received this week from the States General, said to be on account of two Dutch merchant ships being detained at New York by one of our men of war. It seems they had firelocks and ammunition on board, supposed for the Americans.'"[Dixon & Hunter, eds., Sept. 23, 1775.]
1775: [In 1775, a description of the Battle of Charleston which appeared under a London dateline, indicated that the Continental troops used flintlocks:]
"London, July 31…
The provincial troops fought with an amazing disadvantage, they having no bayonets or swords; so whenever the English soldiery closed in upon them, their firelocks were useless. …"[Dixon & Hunter, eds., Oct. 28, 1775.]
"Fowling-pieces. 1. A light gun for shooting wild fowl. [Examples cited from 1596-1864.] …'1727-41. Chambers Cycl. s.v., Of Fowling pieces, those are reputed the best, which have the longest barrel.'…" Oxford English Dictionary, Vol. IV, p. 501.]
York County Records:
1681: Richard Dickeson Inventory, made Dec. 2, 1681
"…one paire of pott hookes, 4 Iron hookes, one fowling piece, old without a breich…"[YCR Deeds, Orders, Wills, Book VI, p. 384.]
1712: Joseph Chermeson Inventory, June 16, 1712[YCR Orders, Wills, Book XIV, p. 202.]
"…In ye Chamber… …5 old Fowling pieces at 20/ & 1 Old X Cutt Saw at 5/both is [£] 1: 5: - 1 pr Small Stilliards… …"
1713: Rebekah Stark Inventory, August 24, 1713YCR Orders, Wills, Book XIV, p. 280.]
"…To parcell of old Iron ware -:12: - To 1 Fowling Peice 1: -: - To pr Scales & Weights -:10: -…"
1715: Capt. Thomas Chisman Inventory, July 28, 1715
"…parcell of books, To 3 fowling pieces, To 1 silver hilted sword & belt. … [YCR Orders, Wills, Book XIV, p. 442.]
1730: Henry Bowcock Inventory, March 15, 1729/30 [in closet off Dining room]
"…1 bird piece made by Brush" valued at £2:10:0. [YCR Orders, Wills, Book XVII p. 55. Note: John Brush was Williamsburg gunsmith ca. 1717-1726.]
1749: Ishmael Moody Inventory, Jan. 16, 1748/49 "…Second Room up Stairs…5.[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XX, p. 136.]
1 pr Pistols & Holster Caps Hanger & Belt a Buff Belt 4:10: 0 & Bridle 4:10: 0 1 Fowling Peice 2: 0: 0…"
1767: Simon Whitaker Inventory, May 18, 1767[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXI, pp. 335-7.]
"…6 silver tea spoons 12/ 1 fowling piece 40/ [£] 2:12: - 5 wine glasses 3/ stand cruetts 5/ waiter 7½d -: 8: 7½…"
1782: Mary Goodson Inventory, Jan. 30, 1782[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXI, pp. 335-7.]
"…1 Musquet & fowling peice 90/. 1 Gun Scraper 3/ 4:13: -…"
1788: Humphrey Harwood Inventory, made Nov. 23, 1788
"…1 lanthorn—a parcel of bottles & Jugs—Fowling peice—1 pr of pistols—and 1 musquet…"[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXIII, p. 220.]
Virginia Gazette:
1737: "The said James Geddy [gunsmith in Williamsburg] has a great Choice of Guns and Fowling-Pieces, of several Sorts and Sizes, true bored, which he will warrant to be good; and will sell them as cheap as they are usually sold in England."[Wm. Parks, ed., July 1-8, 1737.]
1738: "GENTLEMEN and Others, may be supply'd by the Subscriber, in Williamsburg, with neat Fowling-Pieces, and large Guns fit for killing Wild-Fowl in the Rivers, at a reasonable Rate…James Geddy."[Wm. Parks, ed., Sept. 29-Oct. 6, 1738.]
1768: [List of Prizes in a Lottery to be drawn at New Kent Courthouse.]
"2 Neat fowling pieces, at do. [val. at 7 l. 10s. each]."[Purdie & Dixon, eds., Jan. 28, 1768.]
1768: [List of Prizes in a lottery to be drawn to Mr. Augustine Moore's in York County, includes:]
"A fowling piece." [Purdie & Dixon, eds., April 7, 1768.]
1771: "To be SOLD at JOHN GREENHOW's Store, near the Church, in WILLIAMSBURG,…
BROADCLOTHS, Stuffs, … Saws of all Sorts,…very neat Fowling Pieces with raise Breeches, Bridle Locks, …" [Purdie & Dixon, eds., Dec. 12, 1771.]
1773: "London, March 13. …
A fowling piece is now making, by a gunsmith in this city [London], for a Great Personage, of a new construction, which it is thought will be, when finished, one of the most curious pieces of workman hip ever executed, and is to cost 200 guineas." [Wm. Rind, ed., May 13, 1773.]
1776: "FOUND one day last week…near Cartwright's ordinary, a FOWLING PIECE mounted with brass. The owner may have her on proving his property, giving a small reward to the finder…"[Alex. Purdie, ed., Oct. 18, 1776.]6.
1777: "To be sold at RICHMOND…to the highest Bidder, the following Articles, viz.
…a few Dozen Axes…30 or 40 fowling Pieces, Tapes, Threads, Needles,…" [Dixon & Hunter, eds., Nov. 14, 1777.]
"Fusee, fuzee. 1. A light musket or firelock. [Examples cited from 1661-1813 …1661. Evelyn Mem. (1857) I App. 430. 'Horsemen well appointed with…carabines, musquetoons,* or fuzees.' …" [Oxford English Dictionary, Vol. IV, p. 622.]
York County Records:
1744: William Keith Inventory, June 18, 1744[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XIX, p. 291.]
"…2 Cases of Bottles 1 Fuzee 12 Knives & forks 1 Chair & Money Scales—[valued at] [£] 3: 1: 6…"
1768-1771: Francis Fauquier (Lt. Gov.) Inventory at Palace[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXII, pp. 95-99.]
"…Sold Robert Carter Nicholas, Esq. 1 Fusee 1:11: 0 1 pair Pistols 2:17: 0"
Virginia Gazette:
1775: "LOST in the Camp at Williamsburg…a small MUSKET, or FUSEE, fixed for a Bayonet, some Part of the Barrel inscribed 'Dinwiddie County,' and numbered on some Part of the Mounting, which is Brass, '7'…ROBERT SKIPWITH." [Dixon & Hunter, eds., Sept. 23, 1775.]
1775: [Account of American victory against the British at Great Bridge, Virginia, in December, 1775:]
"…Three officers fusees, with bayonets and cartouch boxes, fell into our hands, from which we judge that there were three commissioned officers killed.…" [Another account written to Edmund Pendleton]
"…We buried 12, besides the captain…and have prisoners lieutenant Batut, and 17 privates, all wounded; 35 stands of arms and accoutrements, 3 officers fusees, powder, ball, and cartridges, with sundry other things, have likewise fallen into our hands. This was a second Bunker's Hill affair, in miniature; with this difference, that we kept our post, and had only one man wounded, in the hand." [Purdie, ed., Dec. 15, 1775.]
"Gun…[first two definitions refer to "great guns," cannons, or "large engines of war."]
3. (Originally Hand-gun) Any portable fire-arm, except the pistol; a musket, fowling-piece, rifle, etc. [Examples cited from 1409-1897. Oxford English Dictionary, Vol. IV, p. 509.]
York County Records:
(There are some 87 references to "Guns" in the Williamsburg and Bruton Parish abstracts from the York County Records, dating from 1694-1807. As the above definition indicates, these may have been almost any type of fire-arm except a pistol: — blunderbus, carbine, musket, fowling-piece, rifle, etc. We will not attempt to list each reference here—but will only note those that have some descriptive information:]
1683: Robert Spring Inventory, May 21, 1683[YCR Deeds, Orders, Wills, Book VI, p. 502.]
"…1 Screw Gunn [£] 1:10: 0 1 Long gunn 1: 0: 0"
1694: Ellinor Yates of Bruton Parish, Oct. 3, 1694
"…To my Son Peter Yates…one paire of pistols and houlsters, one small gun, 2 pewter Dishes…" [YCR Deeds, Orders, Wills, Book I, p. 601.]
1701: James Whaley, Inventory, Oct. 6, 1701[YCR Deeds, Orders, Wills, Book XIV, p. 177.]
"In the Parlor" [11 old Leather Chairs, folding Table, Carpitt, small Table & Chest, 1 Turkey Work Couch, 12 Turkey Work Chairs, 1 large Table, and] "to 2 Guns at 2: 0: 0 To 1 Pendulum 1: 0: 0"
1712: Joseph Frith Inventory, May 28, 1712[YCR Deeds, Orders, Wills, Book XIV, p. 177.]
"…In ye Outward Room…[table, forms, chairs, linen, china, books, etc. and] 1 old Gun 0:15:0"
1719: James Burwell Inventory ["King's Creek," Plantation, March 10, 1718/19[YCR orders, Wills, Book XV, pp. 421-5.]
"In Mr Burwell's Closet An Escrutore 3: -: - A parcell of Books 6: -: - 3 Guns & a Musket 3: -: -"
1719: John Brodnax Inventory, Sept. 2, 17198.
"…One fowling Gunn & bullet Molds belonging" [YCR Orders, Wills, Book XV, p. 512.]
1726: Robert Cobbs Inventory, March 21, 1725/26[YCR Orders, Wills Book XV, p. 379.]
"…To 1 gun & 1 Carbine & 1 belt To 1 pr pistols & holsters To 2 Swords & bolts"
1727: John Brush (Williamsburg gunsmith) Inventory, Jan 14, 1726/27YCR Orders, Wills, Book XVI, p. 438.]
"…three Gun barrils. 1 Stock 10/ 1 gun 10/…" [List gunsmiths tools, &c.]
1729: Henry Bowcocks will, dated December 27, 1729
"…to my son Henry to be delivered him when he shall arrive at the age of eighteen years my Silver Watch my Gun which was made by John Brush a Case of Pistols with brass barrels made by Hankins and my housing and holster Caps…" [YCR Orders, Wills, Book XVII, p. 44.]
1730: Henry Bowcock Inventory, March 16, 1729/30
"…Dining Room…[tables, chairs, looking-glass, maps and pictures, fire irons] Closet [bowls, decanters, glassware, china, knives and forks and][YCR Orders, Wills, Book XVII, p. 55. See also Fowling Pieces.]
"…1 bird piece made by Brush [£] 2:10: -"
1734: Robert Clarke Inventory, August 8, 1734[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XVIII, p. 229.]
"…18 Earthern Milk pans and 1 Cream pott -: 9: - 1 Buckaneer 20/ and 1 short Gunn 1:12: 6 1 Cutlas & Cartush box 1 pr Holsters -:10: -"
1735: Edward Wright Inventory, Sept. 15, 1735[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XVIII, p. 229.]
"…To pistols Holsters & Brest plate 1: 5: - To a Sword & Belt /5 To a small Gun 18/ To old Carbine 8/ 1:11: - To Old long Gun 10/ -:10: -"
1763: Thomas Smith Inventory (Williamsburg merchant), August 15, 1763[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXI, p. 159.]
"…1 Walnut Desk & Bookcase 6: -: - 2 Guns, 1 of which has a Crack in the Barrel 1: 5: -"
1764: Hugh Orr Inventory (Williamsburg blacksmith), March 19, 17649.[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXI, p. 192.]
"…Tubs and Pailes 5/. 1 pair Silver mounted Pistols £6 6: 5: - 1 Silver mounted Hanger £5 2 Guns £5 10: -: -"
1768-1771: Francis Fauquier (Lt. Gov. at Palace), July 20, 1771[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXII, p. 88.]
"…ditto [collection] of Music and Instruments [£]10: 0: 0 1 Blunderbus and Short Gun 4: 0: 0 1 Library and Table Stool 6: 0: 0"
1770: William Davenport, May 21, 1770[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXI, p. 495.]
"…2 Pails -: 3: 9 1 Gun Lock -: 2: 6 2 Guns, 2 Cartridge Boxes, & 1 Bayonet 3: -: -"
1772: John Moss Inventory, May 18, 1772[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXII, p. 67.]
"…To 1 doz. Walnut Chairs & 2 Smoking Chairs 11: -: - To 1 large looking Glass 40/ 1 Flax Wheel 7/6, 1 Gun and Powder horn 20/ 3: 7: 6"
1779: Henry Bowcock Inventory, March 9, 1779[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXII, p. 447.]
"…1 Tea Table £6. 1 Looking Glass 60/ 1 Gun £6 15: -: -"
[See also references to his father's gun or birdpiece, 1729/30.]
Virginia Gazette: [Among the numerous references to "Guns" (many of them "great guns" "swivel guns," and other pieces or ordnance) are the following references of Williamsburg interest:]
1737: "The said James Geddy [Williamsburg gunsmith] has a great Choice of Guns and Fowling-Pieces, of several Sorts and Sizes, true bored, which he will warrant to be good; and will sell them as cheap as they are usually sold in England." [Wm. Parks, ed., July 1-8, 1737]
1738: "GENTLEMEN and Others, may be supply'd by the Subscriber in Williamsburg, with neat Fowling-Pieces, and large Guns fit for killing Wild-Fowl in Rivers, at a reasonable Rate…James Geddy." [Wm. Parks, ed., Sept. 29-Oct. 6, 1738.]
1739: "About Six Months since, a long Gun, about 6 or 7 Feet in the Barrel, was brought by a young Gentleman of Glocester County, to me, … to be new Stock'd and Lock'd; and as I have some Reason to believe, that the Person who brought it is dead, and am desirous that the right Owner should have it, I therefore give this Notice,… James Geddy." [Wm. Parks, ed., Sept. 28-Oct. 5, 1739.]
1751: "DAVID and William Geddy Smiths in Williamsburg, near the church, … carry on the Gun-smith's, Cutler's and Founder's Trade, at whose Shop may be had…Gun Work, such as Guns and Pistols Stocks, plain or neatly varnished, Locks, and Mountings, Barrels blued, bored, and rifled; Founder's Work,…" [Wm. Hunter, ed., August 8, 1751.]10.
1755: "THE Subscriber…has a small Quantity of Oznabrigs, Checks, … Cap Lace, Guns, and sundry other Articles; all which he intends to sell at a very low Price, for ready Money. Charles Osborne." [Wm. Hunter, Feb. 28, 1755.]
1768: "RUN away from the subscriber in Orange county…a servant man named THOMAS WISE… He stole when he ran away…also a Dutch gun square up the barrel about a foot, the stock has been cut for a bayonet;…"
JAMES MAGINNESS." [Wm. Rind, ed., March 24, 1768.]
1768: "YORK County, October 1, 1768.
TAKEN some time ago from a Negro a GUN, about 4 feet long in the barrel, with a silver sight, a very fine lock, and very neatly mounted with a sort of pinchbeck, mostly new. The owner may have her on proving his property, and paying charges, of JOHN WADE" [Purdie & Dixon, eds., Oct. 6, 1768.]
1768: "WILLIAM WILLIS, Gunsmith from Birmingham, INFORMS the publick that he has lately opened shop near the playhouse, where he intends to carry on his business in all its branches…" [Purdie & Dixon, eds., Sept. 22, 1769. Willis advertised frequently thereafter: Dec. 22, 1768, Jan. 12, 1769, May 25, 1769, Aug. 10, 1769.]
1770: "AS William Willis, gunsmith, is gone from this city [Williamsburg], and has left some GUNS and GUN LOCKS with me, the owners may have them on paying the repairs… THOMAS BRAMMER." [Purdie & Dixon, eds., August 30, 1770.]
1774: "Just Imported, and to be SOLD cheap…by the Subscriber in Francis Street, Williamsburg, FINE Bottled Porter, Taunton Beer, Gloucester Cheese, negro Plains, Kendal Cottons,…Guns, Silver mounted and plain Pistols,… BENJAMIN BUCKTROUT." [Purdie & Dixon, eds., Oct. 27, 1774.]
1774: "LONDON,…November 2 [1774]…
The proclamation against sending guns and gunpowder out of this kingdom will be of very little use or effect, because the Americans will certainly procure whatever quantity of them they want from Holland, France, or Spain…" [Dixon & Hunter, eds., Jan. 7, 1775.]
1774: "RUN away last Night from the Subscriber in Botetourt, an English Servant Man…by Trade a Bookbinder…he took with him an old smooth Bore Gun. …JAMES ALCORN." [Purdie & Dixon, eds., Nov. 24, 1774.]11.
1775: "LONDON, June 15. …
All the provincials [Americans] who bear arms are provided with rifle barrel guns." [Dixon & Hunter, eds., Aug. 19, 1775.]
1776: "FREDERICKSBURG, Jan. 24, 1776.
"THE commissioners of the GUN MANUFACTORY want a considerable quantity of BRASS, for Mountings…" [Alex. Purdie, ed., Feb. 9, 1776.]
1776: STOLEN from the Subscriber, on his March from Augusta to Williamsburg, at New Kent Courthouse…a very neat RIFLE GUN, the Stock of Sugar Tree curled, made pretty dark by Aquafortis, a Brass Box and Brass wire, flourished in the Breech, and J Grattan on the Barrel, below the hind sight. …JOHN GRATTAN." [Dixon & Hunter, eds., April 13, 1776.]
1776: "To be SOLD by the Subscriber, at his Store in WILLIAMSBURG, …BROADCLOTHS,…Teapots, Guns and Gun Locks,… WILLIAM PITT." [Dixon & Hunter, eds., May 11, 1776.]
1776: "JOURNEYMEN GUNSMITHS and BLACKSMITHS will meet with encouragement from the subscriber… JAMES ANDERSON." [Alex. Purdie, ed., Aug. 23, 1776.]
[Note: James Anderson, Williamsburg blacksmith who came to Williamsburg ca. 1767, was appointed Public Armourer for Virginia in 1776.]
1777: "In COUNCIL, Williamsburg, March 15, 1777.
ORDERED, that all persons having guns, bayonets, or military stores of any kind belonging to the state, do forthwith convey them to the publick magazine. … Arch Blair, clerk." [Alex. Purdie, ed., April 4, 1777.]
"Musket. 1. A hand-gun of the kind with which infantry soldiers are armed. Originally applied to the matchlock, and in the 18th c. still something distinguished from the 'firelock' or 'fusee.' …[Examples cited from 1587-1876…1727-52. Chambers Cycl., 'Musket, or Musquet, properly a fire-arm borne on the shoulder, and used in war; to be fired by the application of a lighted match…At present they are little used save in the defence of places; fusees, or fire-locks, having taken their place.' …"
[Oxford English Dictionary, Vol. VI, p. 786.]
York County Records:
1684: Morris Hurd Inventory, Jan. 24, 1683/412.[YCR Deeds, Orders, Wills, Book VI, p. 569.]
"Two old Musketts one fixed 1 unfixed [£] 1: 0: 0 Two Spitts and an old Spade 0:14: 0"
1711: Thomas Hix Inventory, Sept. 8, 1711
"…1 old Musket, 1 old Sword 5/ 1 doz. & half glass bottles 2/6 [£] 0: 7: 6"
1719: James Burwell Inventory, March 10, 1718/19[YCR Orders, Wills, Book XV, p. 423.]
"In Mr Burwells Closet An Escrutore 3: -: - A parcell of Books 6: -: - 3 Gunns and a Musket 3: -: -
1750: Thomas Cobbs Inventory, Oct. 1, 1750[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XX, p. 192.]
"…2 Tables 24/6 1 long Gun 60/. 1 Musket 35/. 1 small do. 26/. 2do 16. 8: 1: 6"
1770: Nathaniel Crawley Inventory, Aug., 1770
"…2 Musquets 37/6. 1 case and 9 Bottles 20/… Pair of Pistols and holster 70/. 2 Cutlasses and Bayonets 7/6"
1782: Mary Goodson Inventory, Jan. 30, 1782[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXII, p. 526.]
"…1 Musquet & fowling peice 90/ 1 Gun Scraper 3/ 4:13:
1783: Capt. John Harris Inventory, made Nov., 1783[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXIII, p. 69.]
"…One Silver mounted Sword 5:10: - One pair Pistols &c. 2:10: - …One Musket 1: -: -…"
Virginia Gazettes:
1768: [Lottery to be drawn at Mr. Augustine Moore's in York County in York County in September—among prizes listed:][Purdie & Dixon, eds., April 7, 1768.]
"…A neat musket and bayonet,… A fowling piece."
1775: "LOST in the Camp at Williamsburg, in the Month of July last, a small MUSKET, or FUSEE, fixed for a Bayonet, some Part of the Barrel inscribed 'Dinwiddie County,' and numbered on some Part of the Mounting, which is Brass, '7' … ROBERT SKIPWITH" [Dixon & Hunter, eds., Sept. 23, 1775.]
1776: "INVOICE of STORES on board the Nancy store ship…"
[British store ship captured by the Americans]
"MUSKETS, with bayonets, scabbards, and steel rammers, 13. 2000. Cartouch boxes, with belts and frogs, 2000. Tanned leather slings, 2000.
Flints: …" [Dixon & Hunter, eds., Jan. 13, 1776.]
1776: "WILLIAMSBURG, August 10. …
Last Sunday morning, at the camp near the college, a soldier's musket went of by accident, and killed on the spot one Matthew Fowler, a serjeant in the 1st regiment." [Dixon & Hunter, eds., Aug. 10, 1776.]
1777: "CAPT. THOMAS ROWLAND, of Botetourt, last week, in this city [Williamsburg], made an experiment of his new method of loading and firing rifles, which shews that rifles may easily be loaded and discharged in as short a time as muskets generally are, with their usual certainty as to aim…" [Dixon & Hunter, eds., Oct. 3, 1777.]
1780: "TO be sold at Captain La Porte's store in Williamsburg, the following articles, viz. Blunderbusses, pistols with swivels, muskets, cutlasses, and saddles and bridles…" [Dixon & Nicolson, eds., Feb. 12, 1780.]
"Pistol. 1. A small fire-arm, with a more or less curved stock, adapted to be held in, and fired by, one hand." [Examples from ca. 1570-1841. Oxford English Dictionary, Vol. VII, p. 907.]
York County Records: (Among some 40 references to pistols in the Williamsburg abstracts of these records are the following:)
1694: Elinor Yates Will, Oct. 3, 1694
"To my Son Peter Yates…one paire of pistols and houlsters, one small gun…" [YCR Deeds, Orders, Wills, Book I, p. 601.]
1701: James Whaley Inventory, Oct. 6, 170114.[YCR Deeds, Orders, Wills, Book XI, p. 509.]
"…In the Chamber over ye parlor … To 1 old bridle & Sadle, pistols & holsters att - [£] 1: 5: 0"
1701: Alexander Young Inventory, Dec. 24, 1701[YCR Deeds, Orders, Wills, Book XI, p. 533.]
"…1 pr of Pistolls & holsters Carrabine & belt [£] 1:15: 0…"
1711: Henry Dyer Inventory, Jan. 15, 1710/11[YCR Orders, Wills, Book XIV, p. 67.]
"…To pr pistols & holster Sword & Gun a pr old Scales, & 2 Wates an a parcell of old Bookes 1:15: -"
1718: Florence Macarte Will, March 7, 1717/18 [Codicil March 12]
"…I Give to my son Florence Macarte my Horse Jockey & my Carabine & belt my Pistolls & holsters & Sword to be Given to him when he attains to Twenty years of age…" [YCR Orders, Wills, Book XV, p. 254.]
1726: Robert Cobbs Inventory, March 21, 1725/26[YCR Orders, Wills, Book XV, p. 254.]
"…To 1 gun & 1 Carbine & 1 belt To 1 pr pistols & holsters To 2 Swords & belts…"
1729: Henry Bowcocks Will, Dec. 27, 1729
"…to my son Henry to be delivered him when he shall arrive at the age of eighteen years my Silver Watch my gun which was made by John Brush [see also under Fowling-piece], a Case of Pistols with brass barrels made by Hankins and my housing and holster Caps." [YCR Orders, Wills, Book XVII, p. 43.]
1730: William Stone Inventory, March 10, 1729/30[YCR Orders, Wills, Book XVII, p. 58.]
"To 1 Carbine 1 pr pistols & holsters a sword & belt 2:10: -"
1735: James Parsons Inventory, June 16, 1735[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XVIII, p. 205.]
"…To 1 warming pan To 1 pair old pistols Holster & Sword 2 old guns. …"
1740: Capt. William Rogers, Inventory, February 18, 1739/4015.[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XVIII, pp. 553-6.]
"…1 Clock £6. one Silver hilt Cutting Sword and one pr Silver Spurrs 4£ 10: 0: 0 …1 Copper preserving Pan 10/ 1 pr large pistols 15/ 1: 5: 0 …2 pr flat Irons 6/ 1 Trooping Saddle blue housing Crooper & Breast plate 20/ 1: 6: 0 1 pr Holsters 5/. 1 pr holster Caps & housing laced and [?] with Silver 20/ 1: 5: 0 laced and [?] with Silver 20/ 1: 5: 0 …½ barrel Gun powder £2.10 1 old Sain & rope £1.10 4: -: -…"
1735: Edward Wright Inventory, Sept. 15, 1735[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XVIII, p. 229.]
"…to pistols Holsters & breast plate [£] 1: 5: - To Sword & belt /5 To a small Gun 18/ To old Carbine 8/ 1:11: - to old long Gun 10/ -:10: -…"
1736: William Blaikley Inventory, June 30, 1736
"…in Mr Blaikleys Closet…[chest, clock, looking glass, hoes, hatchet, tin lamp &c, and also 1 pr pistolls, & holsters Sword. & gun…" [YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XVIII, p. 314]
1736: Henry White Inventory, June 30, 1736
"…one Gun Sword a pr of pistols and holsters, a Cartouch Box,…" [YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XVIII, p. 336.]
1737: Edmund Chiseman Inventory, May 27, 1737[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XVIII, p. 383.]
"…To 1 Case pistols pr worn Leather spatterdashers & some other old horse furniture 1:15: -"
1737 Benjamin Moss Inventory, Sept. 19, 1737[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XVIII, p. 399.]
"…To 1 flute & fiddle 0:15: - To 1 pr of pistols & holsters & shirk hook & Sword 1:10: - To 3 Dear Skins 0: 4: -…"
1738: John Hay Inventory, August 21, 1738
"…To 2 Tables 4 Chairs & a Chest 0:15: 0 …To a Case of Pistols & a Sword 1: 5: 0"
1742: Henry Bowcock Inventory, made June 29, 1742[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XIX, p. 115.]
"…Pr Brass barrel pistols 50/. box Iron, heaters pr flat Irons 1 hammer 7/6. 2:17: 6…"
1743: John Kaidyce Will, Jan. 6, 1742/3
"…I give and devise to William Bryan Son of my Unckle Frederick Bryan…my Desk and all my Wearing apparell my Gun Sword & Pistols and my Saddle & Bridle. …" [YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XIX, p. 168.]
1743: David Layton Inventory, Dec. 19, 174316.[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XIX, p. 263.]
"…To 2 old brass Kettles 20/ To 4 potts…To 1 Gun barrel & Lock 10/. to 1 pr pistols, & holsters & hanger 15/ 1: 5: 0"
1743: Samuel Cosby Inventory, made May 16, 1743[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XIX, p. 201.]
"…To 1 gun 25/. …To 1 pr pistols and holsters Sword & Belt [£] 1: -: -…"
1744: James Geddy Inventory, Nov. 19, 1744[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XIX, p. 322.]
"4 Brass Snuff Dishes 7/6 3 pr brass Sturrups 1: 2: 6 1 pr Brass Pistols 60/. 1 pr Pistols 26/. … 1 Silver hilted Sword 52/. 1 Shot bagg & powder horn 3/6…"
1748: Hugh Baskervyle Inventory, made April 12, 1748[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XX, p. 98.]
"…A pr of Pistols Holsters and a Gun 1: 0: 0 6 Rush bottom Chairs 0: 6: 0…"
1749: Ishmael Moody Inventory (Ordinary at Queen's Creek) Jan. 16, 1748/9[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XX, pp. 136.]
"…Second Room up Stairs… 1 pr Pistols & Holster Caps Hanger & belt a Buff Belt and Bridle 4:10: 0 1 Fowling Peice 2: 0: 0…"
1760: Henry Wetherburn Inventory, Dec. 23, 1760[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXI, p. 36.
"In the Bull head Room 1 doz. Mahogany Chairs 9: -: - …1 pr Pistols 1: 6: 0…"
1762: Capt. Thomas Reynolds Inventory, June 21, 1762[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXI p. 99.]
"The Contents of the Beaufett 10:10: - 1 dressing Table Glass, Pistols & hangers Fender. tongs Shovel & Gun 10: -: - 1 desk 20/ The Contents of a beaufett £5 6: -: -…"
1764: Hugh Orr Inventory (Williamsburg blacksmith) March 19, 1764[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXI, p. 192.]
"…Tubs and Pails 5/. 1 pair Silver mounted Pistols £6 6: 5: - 1 Silver mounted Hanger £5 2 guns £5 10: -: -…"
1769: William Waters Inventory, Aug. 21, 176917.[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXI, p. 464.]
"…1 pr neat Pistols £5. 1 pr. ditto plaine £4 - 9: -: -…"
1769: Nathaniel Crawley Inventory, Sept. 18, 1769[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXI, p. 509.]
"…2 Musquets 37/6, … Pair of Pistols and holsters 70/. 2 Cutlasses & Bayonets 7/6…1 Sword 40/…"
1768-1770: Lt. Gov. Francis Fauquier (d. 1768) goods sold[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXII, p. 96.]
"…Sold John Greenhow 1 Spy Glass [£] 1: 7: 0 1 pair pistols 1: 4: 0…" "Sold Robert Carter Nicholas Esquire 1 Fusee 1:11: 0 1 pair Pistols 2:17: 0…"
1771: Joseph Valentine Inventory, made Dec. 17, 1771
"…1 small gun 30/. 1 do 20/ 1 pr pistols and holsters 10/. 3 pr Dog Irons 10/. …"
1772: Armistead Lightfoot Inventory, Nov. 16, 1772[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXII, p. 126.]
"…1 Sword and Belt 60/. 1 mourng do 10/. 1 pr Pistoles 30/…2 large Powder Flasks 10/ …"
1783: Capt. John Harris Inventory, made Nov., 1783[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXIII, p. 69.]
"…One Uniform coat 1 blue Do 5:10: - …One Silver mounted Sword 5:10: - …One pair Pistols &c 2:10: - …One Musket 1: -: -…"
Virginia Gazette:
1751: "DAVID and William Geddy Smiths in Williamsburg, near the Church, having all Manner of Utensils requisite, carry on the Gun-smith's Cutler's, and Founder's Trade, at whose Shop may be had the following Work, viz. Gun Work, such as Guns and Pistols Stocks, plain or neatly varnished, Locks and Mountings, Barrels blued, bored, and rifled; …" [Wm. Hunter, ed., Aug. 8, 1751.]
1774: "Just Imported, and to be SOLD cheap…by the Subscriber in Francis Street, Williamsburg, FINE Bottled Porter, Taunton Beer…Guns, Silver mounted and plain Pistols, … BENJAMIN BUCKTROUT." [Purdie & Dixon, eds., Oct. 27, 1774.]18.
1777: WILLIAMSBURG…
"LOST on the 15th of March, a new PISTOL with iron carved mounting, the barrel about eight inches long, screwed and marked D.P. with a sugar tree stock. Whoever delivers the said pistol to me shall have 10s. reward. ROBERT ANDERSON." [Alex. Purdie, ed., April 11, 1777.]
1777: "THE Subscriber begs Leave to inform the Public in general…that she has opened a Store opposite Mr. John Greenhow's…where she purposes to sell all Kinds of European Goods on Commission…She has now on Hand the following Articles…Necklaces, Earrings,…Gold and Silver Lace, Pocket Pistols, best Ivory Handle Knives and Forks, …ANN NEILL." [Dixon & Hunter, eds., Nov. 14, 1777.]
1779: "STOLEN out of the subscribers house, on the night of the 18th instant (March) a pair of brass barrel holster pistols, one of the ramrods has a worm on it, and the stock of one of them is cracked and has a piece of brass lot in with a duff-tail on each side and rivited through; also a surtout coat…THOMAS CARTWRIGHT." [Dixon & Nicolson, eds., March 26, 1779.]
1780: "TO be sold at Captain La Porte's store in Williamsburg, the following articles, viz. Blunderbusses, pistols with swivels, muskets, cutlasses, and saddles and bridles…" [Dixon & Nicolson, eds., Feb. 12, 1780.]
"Rifle. … 2. A fire-arm, esp. a musket or carbine, having a spirally grooved bore. [Examples cited from 1775-1880. … 1775. J. Adams in Fam. Lett. (1876) 65. 'They use a peculiar kind of musket, called a rifle.' …" [Oxford English Dictionary, Vol. VIII, p. 664.]
York County Records: (1 reference in Williamsburg abstracts from records.)
1772: Thomas Hornsby (Williamsburg) Inventory, Aug. 17, 1772[YCR Wills, Inventories, Book XXII, p. 109.]
"…Up Stairs. …6 Guns (Rifles) [£] 8: -: -…"
Virginia Gazette:
1775: "LONDON [1775], June 15. …19.
All the provincials who bear arms are provided with rifle barrel guns." [Dixon & Hunter, eds., Aug. 19, 1775.]
1776: "STOLEN from the Subscriber, on his March from Augusta to Williamsburg, at New Kent Courthouse…a very neat RIFLE GUN, the Stock of Sugar Tree curled, made pretty dark by Aquafortis, a Brass Box and Brass wire, flourished in the Breech, and J Grattan on the Barrel, below the hind sight. I hereby forwarn any Person from purchasing the said Gun, and will give any Person 20s. who will deliver her to the Printers hereof,… JOHN GRATTAN." [Dixon & Hunter, eds., April 13, 1776.]
1776: "To be SOLD for ready money, at Amelia court-house…A PARCEL of ivory handled SWORDS, elegantly mounted with silver; also a number of the best kind of RIFLES, with bullet moulds, &c. by BENJAMIN WARD." [Alex. Purdie, eds., June 7, 1776.]
1777: "CAPT. THOMAS ROWLAND, of Botetourt, last week, in this city [Williamsburg], made an experiment of his new method of loading and firing rifles, which shows that rifles may easily be loaded and discharged in as short a time as muskets generally are, with their usual certainty as to aim…" [Dixon & Hunter, eds., Oct. 3, 1777.]